Eisai to slash US workforce by 25%

Eisai Inc, the US-based subsidiary of Japanese drugs giant Eisai Co, says it is planning a restructure that will see a 25% cull of its workforce, under a drive to boost efficiency and focus.

Specifics on the proposed realignment are thin, but company chief Yuji Matsue said the move is designed to ensure that Eisai “stays competitive in a rapidly changing business environment”.

The reorganisation will enable the firm to redeploy resources to “support the development of our priority late-stage compounds and our current product portfolio,” he noted.

The new structure should be in place by May 1. Eisai's US operations include research and development, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and administrative functions. The company said it is not planning to close any of its main offices or facilities.